Bupropion dosage forms with reduced food and alcohol dosing effects

ABSTRACT

This disclosure relates to dosage forms comprising bupropion hydrochloride, another salt form of bupropion, or the free base form of bupropion; dextromethorphan hydrobromide, another salt form of dextromethorphan, or the free base form of dextromethorphan, and a polymer. In some embodiments, the dosage form has no significant dose dumping of bupropion in the presence of ethanol in vitro. In some embodiments, the dosage form does not have a food effect for bupropion or dextromethorphan when taken with a high-fat meal in human subjects. Some embodiments include a method of treating a nervous system condition (such as depression, e.g., major depressive disorder, including treatment-resistant depression, agitation associated with Alzheimer&#39;s disease (or agitation associated with dementia of the Alzheimer&#39;s type), agitation associated with dementia, anxiety (or generalized anxiety disorder), neuropathic pain, or peripheral diabetic neuropathic pain) comprising, administering a dosage form described herein to a human being in need thereof.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/357,521, filed Jun. 30, 2022, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/370,590, filed Aug. 5, 2022, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/370,771, filed Aug. 8, 2022, all of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

FIELD

This disclosure relates to dosage forms containing bupropion, optionally in the presence of dextromethorphan, and use of these dosage forms for various therapeutic purposes.

SUMMARY

This disclosure relates to dosage forms comprising bupropion hydrochloride, another salt form of bupropion, or the free base form of bupropion; dextromethorphan hydrobromide, another salt form of dextromethorphan, or the free base form of bupropion, and a polymer. In some embodiments, the dosage form has no significant dose dumping of bupropion in the presence of ethanol in vitro. In some embodiments, the dosage form does not have a food effect for bupropion when taken with a high-fat meal in human subjects. In some embodiments, the dosage form does not have a food effect for dextromethorphan when taken with a high-fat meal in human subjects.

Some embodiments include a dosage form comprising: 105 mg of bupropion hydrochloride, or a molar equivalent amount of another salt form of bupropion or the free base form of bupropion, 45 mg of dextromethorphan hydrobromide, or a molar equivalent amount of another salt form of dextromethorphan or the free base form of dextromethorphan, and a polymer, wherein the dosage form, in the presence of ethanol in vitro, shows no significant dose dumping of bupropion.

Some embodiments include a method of treating a nervous system condition (such as depression, e.g., major depressive disorder, including treatment-resistant depression, agitation associated with Alzheimer's disease (or agitation associated with dementia of the Alzheimer's type), agitation associated with dementia, anxiety (or generalized anxiety disorder), neuropathic pain, or peripheral diabetic neuropathic pain) comprising administering, once a day or twice a day, a dosage form to a human patient in need thereof, wherein the dosage form comprises 105 mg of bupropion hydrochloride, or a molar equivalent amount of another salt form of bupropion or the free base form of bupropion, 45 mg of dextromethorphan hydrobromide, or a molar equivalent amount of another salt form of dextromethorphan or the free base form of dextromethorphan, and a polymer, and wherein the dosage form, in the presence ethanol in vitro, shows no significant dose dumping of bupropion.

Some embodiments include a method of treating a nervous system condition (such as depression, e.g., major depressive disorder, agitation associated with Alzheimer's disease (or agitation associated with dementia of the Alzheimer's type), agitation associated with dementia, anxiety (or generalized anxiety disorder), neuropathic pain, or peripheral diabetic neuropathic pain) comprising administering, once a day or twice a day, a dosage form to a human patient in need thereof, wherein the dosage form comprises 105 mg of bupropion hydrochloride, or a molar equivalent amount of another salt form of bupropion or the free base form of bupropion, 45 mg of dextromethorphan hydrobromide, or a molar equivalent amount of another salt form of dextromethorphan or the free base form of dextromethorphan, and a polymer, and wherein the patient consumes alcohol on a day that the dosage form is administered.

Some embodiments include a method of treating a nervous system condition (such as depression, e.g., major depressive disorder, agitation associated with Alzheimer's disease (or agitation associated with dementia of the Alzheimer's type), agitation associated with dementia, anxiety (or generalized anxiety disorder), neuropathic pain, or peripheral diabetic neuropathic pain) in a human patient who is consuming alcohol, comprising administering, once a day or twice a day, a dosage form to a human patient in need thereof, and limiting but not discontinuing consumption of alcohol by the human patient, wherein the dosage form comprises 105 mg of bupropion hydrochloride, or a molar equivalent amount of another salt form of bupropion or the free base form of bupropion, 45 mg of dextromethorphan hydrobromide, or a molar equivalent amount of another salt form of dextromethorphan or the free base form of dextromethorphan, and a polymer.

Some embodiments include a method of treating a nervous system condition (such as depression, e.g., major depressive disorder, agitation associated with Alzheimer's disease (or agitation associated with dementia of the Alzheimer's type), agitation associated with dementia, anxiety (or generalized anxiety disorder), neuropathic pain, or peripheral diabetic neuropathic pain) in a human patient who is consuming alcohol, comprising administering, once a day or twice a day, a dosage form to a human patient in need thereof, and reducing but not discontinuing consumption of alcohol by the human patient, wherein the dosage form comprises 105 mg of bupropion hydrochloride, or a molar equivalent amount of another salt form of bupropion or the free base form of bupropion, 45 mg of dextromethorphan hydrobromide, or a molar equivalent amount of another salt form of dextromethorphan or the free base form of dextromethorphan, and a polymer.

Some embodiments include a method of treating a nervous system condition (such as depression, e.g., major depressive disorder, agitation associated with Alzheimer's disease (or agitation associated with dementia of the Alzheimer's type), agitation associated with dementia, anxiety (or generalized anxiety disorder), neuropathic pain, or peripheral diabetic neuropathic pain) in a human patient who is consuming alcohol, comprising administering, once a day or twice a day, a dosage form to a human patient in need thereof, and minimizing but not discontinuing consumption of alcohol by the human patient, wherein the dosage form comprises 105 mg of bupropion hydrochloride, or a molar equivalent amount of another salt form of bupropion or the free base form of bupropion, 45 mg of dextromethorphan hydrobromide, or a molar equivalent amount of another salt form of dextromethorphan or the free base form of dextromethorphan, and a polymer.

Some embodiments include a method of treating major depressive disorder in an adult human patient who is consuming alcohol, comprising administering, once a day or twice a day, a dosage form to a human patient in need thereof, wherein the dosage form comprises 105 mg of bupropion hydrochloride, or a molar equivalent amount of another salt form of bupropion or the free base form of bupropion, 45 mg of dextromethorphan hydrobromide, or a molar equivalent amount of another salt form of dextromethorphan or the free base form of dextromethorphan, and a polymer; wherein if the human patient is a male, the human patient is consuming two servings or less of alcohol per day; and if the human patient is a female, the human patient is consuming one serving or less of alcohol per day.

Some embodiments include a method of treating major depressive disorder comprising, administering a dosage form described herein to a human being in need thereof. In some embodiments, the dosage form is taken with an alcoholic beverage. In some embodiments, the dosage form is taken with a high-fat meal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Dose dumping is a phenomenon in which relatively a large amount of drug in a controlled release formulation is quickly released and a potentially toxic quantity of the drug is introduced into systemic circulation.

A pharmaceutical composition or dosage form described herein may include, or be prepared from, any suitable form of bupropion, such as a salt form, e.g. bupropion hydrochloride, the free base form, hydrates, solvates, polymorphs, other solid forms, etc. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition is free of any other active pharmaceutical agents.

The pharmaceutical dosage form may include any suitable amount of bupropion, such as about 90-100 mg, about 100-110 mg, about 110-120 mg, about 103-107 mg, or about 105 mg of the bupropion, such as bupropion hydrochloride, a molar equivalent amount of another salt form of bupropion, or the free base form of bupropion.

The chemical name of bupropion hydrochloride is: (±)-1-(3-chlorophenyl)-2-[(1,1-dimethylethyl)amino]-1-propanone hydrochloride. Bupropion hydrochloride has the empirical formula C₁₃H₁₈ClNO·HCl and a molecular weight of 276.2 (239.74 bupropion base). The structural formula is:

Bupropion hydrochloride powder is white and highly soluble in water.

A pharmaceutical composition or dosage form described herein may include, or be prepared from, any suitable form of dextromethorphan, such as a salt form, e.g. dextromethorphan bromide, the free base form, hydrates, solvates, polymorphs, other solid forms, etc. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition is free of any other active pharmaceutical agents.

The pharmaceutical dosage form may include any suitable amount of dextromethorphan, such as about 30-60 mg, about 30-50 mg, about 30-34 mg, about 34-38 mg, about 38-42 mg, about 42-46 mg, about 46-50 mg, about 40-45 mg, about 45-50 mg, about 44-46 mg, or about 45 mg of the dextromethorphan, such as bupropion hydrochloride, a molar equivalent amount of another salt form of dextromethorphan, or the free base form of dextromethorphan.

The chemical name of dextromethorphan hydrobromide is morphinan, 3-methoxy-17-methyl-, (9α, 13α, 14α), hydrobromide monohydrate. Dextromethorphan hydrobromide has the empirical formula C₁₈H₂₅NO·HBr·H₂O and a molecular weight of 370.33 (271.4 dextromethorphan base). The structural formula is:

Dextromethorphan hydrobromide powder is white or almost white, crystalline, and sparingly soluble in water.

In some embodiments, the dosage form may contain bupropion and dextromethorphan, and no other active pharmaceutical ingredients. In some embodiments, the bupropion and the dextromethorphan are in two different layers or phases of the dosage form, e.g. each layer contains only bupropion or dextromethorphan and none of the other.

The pharmaceutical composition or dosage form may include cysteine (e.g. L-cysteine), such as about 30-100 mg, or about 50-100 mg of the cysteine, such as L-cysteine hydrochloride, another salt form of L-cysteine, or the neutral or zwitterionic form of L-cysteine. Cysteine in these amounts may be helpful in stabilizing bupropion in the presence of other excipients.

The pharmaceutical composition or dosage form may further comprises a sustained release or controlled release polymer, such as a crosslinked or uncrosslinked acrylate polymer or copolymer (including a poly(acrylic acid) or a poly(alkacrylic acid), such as poly(methacrylic acid), e.g. a carbomer homopolymer Type A such as Carbopol 971P), a cellulose derivative, such as methylcellulose, etc. In some embodiments, the controlled release polymer (e.g. a carbomer copolymer Type A) is about 1-40%, about 1-5%, about 5-10%, about 10-15%, about 15-20%, about 20-30%, about 30-40%, about 11-13%, or about 12% of the weight of the pharmaceutical composition. In some embodiments, the controlled release polymer is about 0.1-20%, about 0.1-2%, about 2-4%, about 4-6%, about 6-8%, about 8-10%, about 10-15%, about 15-20%, or about 7% of the weight of the dosage form.

The pharmaceutical composition or dosage form may further comprise a filler such as microcrystalline cellulose. In some embodiments, the filler may be about 20-60%, about 20-30%, about 30-40%, about 40-50%, or about 50-60% of the weight of the pharmaceutical composition or the dosage form.

The pharmaceutical composition or dosage form may further comprise a lubricant such as magnesium stearate. In some embodiments, the lubricant is about 0.1-10%, about 0.1-2%, about 2-4%, about 4-6%, about 6-8%, or about 8-10% of the weight of the pharmaceutical composition or the dosage form.

The dosage form may be formulated for any suitable route of administration, such as oral administration.

Dosage forms, such as solid dosage forms, e.g. capsules, tablets, or pills, for oral administration may also contain one or more of the following: a binder such as gum tragacanth, acacia, corn starch, or gelatin; an excipient, such as dicalcium phosphate; a disintegrating agent such as corn starch, potato starch, alginic acid, and the like; a sweetening agent such as sucrose, lactose, or saccharin; or a flavoring agent such as peppermint, oil of wintergreen, or cherry flavoring. When the dosage form is a capsule, it may contain, in addition to materials of the above type, a liquid carrier. Various other materials may be present as a coating, for example, tablets, pills, or capsules may be coated with shellac, sugar, or both. It may be desirable for material in a dosage form or pharmaceutical composition to be pharmaceutically pure and nontoxic in the amounts employed.

In some embodiments, the dosage form contains cysteine, Carbopol 971P, microcrystalline cellulose, silicon dioxide, and magnesium. In some embodiments, the dosage form contains a first layer comprising bupropion and cysteine, and a second layer comprising dextromethorphan, microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, and magnesium stearate.

An example of a single layer dosage form is show below:

Layer 1 Ingredient Amount (mg) Bupropion 90-120 Cysteine 30-100 Carbopol 971P 20-60  Microcrystalline Cellulose 200-300  Colloidal Silicon Dioxide 1-10 Magnesium Stearate 1-10

A two layer dosage form may contain a first layer with the composition shown above (Layer 1), and a second layer detailed below (Layer 2).

Layer 2 Ingredient Amount (mg) Dextromethorphan 30-60 Microcrystalline Cellulose 100-150 Croscarmellose sodium  1-20 Magnesium Stearate  1-10

In some embodiments, the dosage form may be for oral administration and may be a round bilayer tablet. Each tablet may contain 45 mg dextromethorphan hydrobromide (equivalent to 32.98 mg dextromethorphan base) in an immediate-release formulation and 105 mg bupropion hydrochloride (equivalent to 91.14 mg bupropion base) in an extended-release formulation. Each tablet may further contain any, or all, of the following inactive ingredients: carbomer homopolymer, colloidal silicon dioxide, crospovidone, glyceryl monocaprylocaprate, I-cysteine hydrochloride monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, red iron oxide, sodium lauryl sulfate, stearic acid, talc, titanium dioxide, and/or yellow iron oxide. The pharmaceutical compositions or dosage forms described herein may be useful in treating neurological disorders or psychiatric conditions, such as depression, including major depressive disorder or treatment-resistant major depressive disorder, agitation, such as agitation associated with Alzheimer's disease, addiction, such as nicotine addiction, etc. For example, the pharmaceutical composition of dosage form may be administered once or twice a day to a human being suffering from a neurological disorder or psychiatric condition. Treatment may be continued as needed while the treatment is effective and safe, e.g. for at least 1 week, at least 4 weeks, at least one month, at least 2 months, at least 3 months, at least 6 months, at least 1 year, 1 week to 2 months, 1-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-12 months, 1-2 years, or possibly longer.

Due to US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) concern of dose dumping of bupropion hydrochloride when taken with ethanol, the FDA currently requests that dissolution testing on dosage forms containing bupropion be conducted using various concentrations of ethanol in the dissolution medium, as follows:

-   Testing Conditions: 900 mL, 0.1 N HCl, USP apparatus 2 (paddle) at     50 rpm, with or without ethanol; -   Test 1: 12 units tested according to the proposed method (with 0.1N     HCl), with data collected every 15 minutes for a total of 2 hours; -   Test 2: 12 units analyzed by substituting 5% (v/v) of test medium     with Alcohol USP (ethanol) and data collection every 15 minutes for     a total of 2 hours; -   Test 3: 12 units analyzed by substituting 20% (v/v) of test medium     with Alcohol USP (ethanol) and data collection every 15 minutes for     a total of 2 hours; and -   Test 4: 12 units analyzed by substituting 40% (v/v) of test medium     with Alcohol USP (ethanol) and data collection every 15 minutes for     a total of 2 hours.

According to the FDA, both test and reference products must be tested accordingly and data must be provided on individual unit, means, range and % CV on both strengths. (FDA Draft Guidance on Bupropion Hydrochloride, p. 2.)

Literature Examples

According to FDA documents the bupropion product Forfivo XL was tested for ethanol dose dumping. (Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Application No. 0224970rig1s000), CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY AND BIOPHARMACEUTICS REVIEW(S) (“Forfivo Resubmission”), p. 17.) The Forfivo Resubmission discloses that Forfivo contains bupropion hydrochloride, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydrochloric acid, polyethylene oxide, stearic acid, colloidal silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, methacrylic acid copolymer, talc, polyethylene glycol (PEG) 8000, titanium oxide (TiO₂), and carboxymethylcellulose sodium (NaCMC). (Forfivo Resubmission, p. 10). The Forfivo Resubmission further reports that experiment described above was conducted for BUP 450 XL tablets. According to the Forfivo Resubmission, “[f]or 2 hours, no dissolved bupropion HCl from BUP 450 XL tablets was seen at 0% of alcohol. In the presence of 20% of alcohol, 7% of dissolved bupropion HCl from BUP 450 XL tablets was observed in two hours. In the presence of 40% of alcohol, 22% (range of 16-25%) of dissolved bupropion HCl from BUP 450 XL tablets was seen in two hours. The drug product is showing dose dumping with alcohol in vitro.” (p. 17)

According to the CONTRAVE label, when a dosage form containing 8 mg of naltrexone HCl, 90 mg of bupropion HCl, microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, lactose anhydrous, L-cysteine hydrochloride, crospovidone, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, edetate disodium, lactose monohydrate, colloidal silicon dioxide, Opadry II Blue, and FD&C Blue #2 aluminum lake was administered with a high-fat meal, the AUC and C_(max) for naltrexone increased 2.1-fold and 3.7-fold, respectively, and the AUC and C_(max) for bupropion increased 1.4-fold and 1.8-fold, respectively. At steady state, the food effect increased AUC and C_(max) for naltrexone by 1.7-fold and 1.9-fold, respectively, and increased AUC and C_(max) for bupropion by 1.1-fold and 1.3-fold, respectively. Thus, the label indicates that CONTRAVE should not be taken with high-fat meals because of the resulting significant increases in bupropion and naltrexone systemic exposure.

The subject combination may be used for adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder or depression.

In addition to major depressive disorder, the subject combination may be used to treat other diseases in conditions in the patient populations or circumstances described herein. For example, the subject combination may be used to treat pain or a neurological disorder. Examples of neurological disorders that may be treated with the subject combination include, but are not limited to: affective disorders, psychiatric disorders, cerebral function disorders, movement disorders, dementias, motor neuron diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, seizure disorders, and headaches.

Affective disorders that may be treated by the subject combination include, but are not limited to, depression, major depression, treatment resistant depression, treatment resistant bipolar depression, bipolar disorders including cyclothymia, seasonal affective disorder, mood disorders, chronic depression (dysthymia), psychotic depression, postpartum depression, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), situational depression, atypical depression, mania, anxiety disorders, attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity (ADDH), and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD), bipolar and manic conditions, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bulimia, obesity or weight-gain, narcolepsy, chronic fatigue syndrome, premenstrual syndrome, substance addiction or abuse, nicotine addiction, psycho-sexual dysfunction, pseudobulbar affect, and emotional lability.

Depression may be manifested by depressive symptoms. These symptoms may include psychological changes such as changes in mood, feelings of intense sadness, despair, mental slowing, loss of concentration, pessimistic worry, agitation, anxiety, irritability, guilt, anger, feelings of worthlessness, reckless behavior, suicidal thoughts, or attempts, and/or self-deprecation. Physical symptoms of depression may include insomnia, anorexia, appetite loss, weight loss, weight gain, decreased energy and libido, fatigue, restlessness, aches, pains, headaches, cramps, digestive issues, and/or abnormal hormonal circadian rhythms.

Psychiatric disorders that may be treated by the subject combination, include, but are not limited to, anxiety disorders, including but not limited to, phobias, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); mania, manic depressive illness, hypomania, unipolar depression, depression, stress disorders, somatoform disorders, personality disorders, psychosis, schizophrenia, delusional disorder, schizoaffective disorder, schizotypy, aggression, aggression in Alzheimer's disease, agitation, and agitation in Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease may also be referred to as dementia of the Alzheimer's type. Other neurobehavioral symptoms of Alzheimer's disease that may be treated include disinhibition, apathy,

Agitation in Alzheimer's disease occurs as the disease progresses. Agitation may present itself as inappropriate verbal, emotional, and/or physical behaviors. Inappropriate behaviors may include, but are not limited to, incoherent babbling, inappropriate emotional response, demands for attention, threats, irritability, frustration, screaming, repetitive questions, mood swings, cursing, abusive language, physical outbursts, emotional distress, restlessness, shredding, sleeping disturbances, delusions, hallucinations, pacing, wandering, searching, rummaging, repetitive body motions, hoarding, shadowing, hitting, scratching, biting, combativeness, hyperactivity, and/or kicking.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline, and behavioral and psychological symptoms including agitation. AD is the most common form of dementia and afflicts an estimated 6 million individuals in the United States, a number that is anticipated to increase to approximately 14 million by 2050. Agitation is reported in up to 70% of patients with AD and is characterized by emotional distress, aggressive behaviors, disruptive irritability, and disinhibition. Managing agitation is a priority in AD. Agitation in patients with AD has been associated with increased caregiver burden, decreased functioning, accelerated cognitive decline, earlier nursing home placement, and increased mortality. There are currently no therapies approved by the FDA for the treatment of agitation in patients with AD.

Neurobehavioral symptoms have been known to appear during dementia and may be treated by the combination. Caregivers or families may feel more overwhelmed by patients' behavioral/psychological symptoms than by their cognitive impairment. Common forms of the syndrome are Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies (abnormal aggregates of protein that develop inside nerve cells), and a group of diseases that contribute to frontotemporal dementia (degeneration of the frontal lobe of the brain). The symptoms that dementia patients have are similar to those of psychiatric disorders, but some are slightly different from each other. Neurobehavioral symptoms associated with dementia include depression, apathy, agitation, disinhibition, hallucinations, delusions, psychosis, impulsiveness, aggressiveness, compulsion, excessive sex drive, and personality disorders. Neurobehavioral symptoms such as disinhibition may also be found in other conditions such as traumatic brain injury.

Agitation in patients with Alzheimer's disease may be assessed using the Cohen Mansfield Agitation Inventory or CMAI. The CMAI assesses various behaviors including, Hitting (including self), Kicking, Grabbing onto people, Pushing, Throwing things, Biting , Scratching, Spitting, Hurting self or others, Tearing things or destroying property, Making physical sexual advances, Pacing, aimless wandering, Inappropriate dress or disrobing, Trying to get to a different place, Intentional falling, Eating/drinking inappropriate substances, Handling things inappropriately, Hiding things, Hoarding things, Performing repetitive mannerisms, General restlessness, Screaming , Making verbal sexual advances, Cursing or verbal aggression, Repetitive sentences or questions, Strange noises (weird laughter or crying), Complaining, Negativism, Constant unwarranted request for attention or help.

Schizophrenia may treated by the combination including positive symptoms and/or negative symptoms of schizophrenia, or residual symptoms of schizophrenia. Other conditions that may treated include intermittent explosive disorder.

Cerebral function disorders that may be treated by the subject combination include, but are not limited to, disorders involving intellectual deficits such as senile dementia, Alzheimer's type dementia, memory loss, amnesia/amnestic syndrome, epilepsy, disturbances of consciousness, coma, lowering of attention, speech disorders, voice spasms, Parkinson's disease, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, autism, hyperkinetic syndrome, and schizophrenia. Cerebral function disorders also include disorders caused by cerebrovascular diseases including, but not limited to, stroke, cerebral infarction, cerebral bleeding, cerebral arteriosclerosis, cerebral venous thrombosis, head injuries, and the like where symptoms include disturbance of consciousness, senile dementia, coma, lowering of attention, and speech disorders.

Substance addiction abuse that may be treated by the subject combination includes, but is not limited to, drug dependence, addiction to cocaine, psychostimulants (e.g., crack, cocaine, speed, meth), nicotine, alcohol, opioids, anxiolytic and hypnotic drugs, cannabis (marijuana), amphetamines, hallucinogens, phencyclidine, volatile solvents, and volatile nitrites. Nicotine addiction includes nicotine addiction of all known forms, such as smoking cigarettes, cigars and/or pipes, e-cigarettes or vaping, and addiction to chewing tobacco.

Movement disorders that may be treated by the subject combination include, but are not limited to, akathisia, akinesia, associated movements, athetosis, ataxia, ballismus, hemiballismus, bradykinesia, cerebral palsy, chorea, Huntington's disease, Huntington's disease chorea, rheumatic chorea, Sydenham's chorea, dyskinesia, tardive dyskinesia, dystonia, blepharospasm, spasmodic torticollis, dopamine-responsive dystonia, Parkinson's disease, restless legs syndrome (RLS), tremor, essential tremor, and Tourette's syndrome, and Wilson's disease.

Dementias that may be treated by the subject combination include, but are not limited to, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, mixed dementia, fronto-temporal dementia, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, normal pressure hydrocephalus, Huntington's disease, Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome, and Pick's disease.

Motor neuron diseases that may be treated by the subject combination include, but are not limited to, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), progressive bulbar palsy, primary lateral sclerosis (PLS), progressive muscular atrophy, post-polio syndrome (PPS), spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), spinal motor atrophies, Tay-Sach's disease, Sandoff disease, and hereditary spastic paraplegia.

Neurodegenerative diseases that may be treated the subject combination include, but are not limited to, Alzheimer's disease, prion-related diseases, cerebellar ataxia, spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA), spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), bulbar muscular atrophy, Friedrich's ataxia, Huntington's disease, Lewy body disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease), multiple sclerosis (MS), multiple system atrophy, Shy-Drager syndrome, corticobasal degeneration, progressive supranuclear palsy, Wilson's disease, Menkes disease, adrenoleukodystrophy, cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL), muscular dystrophies, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), familial spastic paraparesis, neurofibromatosis, olivopontine cerebellar atrophy or degeneration, striatonigral degeneration, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and spastic paraplegia.

Seizure disorders that may be treated by the subject combination include, but are not limited to, epileptic seizures, nonepileptic seizures, epilepsy, febrile seizures; partial seizures including, but not limited to, simple partial seizures, Jacksonian seizures, complex partial seizures, and epilepsia partialis continua; generalized seizures including, but not limited to, generalized tonic-clonic seizures, absence seizures, atonic seizures, myoclonic seizures, juvenile myoclonic seizures, and infantile spasms; and status epilepticus.

Types of headaches that may be treated by the subject combination include, but are not limited to, migraine, tension, and cluster headaches.

Other neurological disorders that may be treated by the subject combination include, Rett Syndrome, autism, tinnitus, disturbances of consciousness disorders, sexual dysfunction, intractable coughing, narcolepsy, cataplexy; voice disorders due to uncontrolled laryngeal muscle spasms, including, but not limited to, abductor spasmodic dysphonia, adductor spasmodic dysphonia, muscular tension dysphonia, and vocal tremor; diabetic neuropathy, chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicity, such as methotrexate neurotoxicity; incontinence including, but not limited, stress urinary incontinence, urge urinary incontinence, and fecal incontinence; and erectile dysfunction.

In some embodiments, the subject combination may be used to treat pain, joint pain, pain associated with sickle cell disease, pseudobulbar affect, depression (including treatment resistant depression), disorders related to memory and cognition, schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Rhett's syndrome, seizures, cough (including chronic cough), etc.

In some embodiments, the subject combination may be administered orally to relieve musculoskeletal pain including low back pain, and pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, erosive osteoarthritis, sero-negative (non-rheumatoid) arthropathies, non-articular rheumatism, peri-articular disorders, axial spondyloarthritis including ankylosing spondylitis, Paget's disease, fibrous dysplasia, SAPHO syndrome, transient osteoarthritis of the hip, vertebral crush fractures, osteoporosis, etc.

In some embodiments, the subject combination may be administered to relieve inflammatory pain including musculoskeletal pain, arthritis pain, and complex regional pain syndrome.

Arthritis refers to inflammatory joint diseases that can be associated with pain. Examples of arthritis pain include pain associated with osteoarthritis, erosive osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, sero-negative (non-rheumatoid) arthropathies, non-articular rheumatism, peri-articular disorders, neuropathic arthropathies including Charcot's foot, axial spondyloarthritis including ankylosing spondylitis, and SAPHO syndrome.

In some embodiments, the subject combination is used to treat chronic musculoskeletal pain.

In some embodiments, the subject composition may be administered to relieve complex regional pain syndrome, such as complex regional pain syndrome type I (CRPS-I), complex regional pain syndrome type II (CRPS-II), CRPS-NOS, or another type of CRPS. CRPS is a type of inflammatory pain. CRPS can also have a neuropathic component. Complex regional pain syndrome is a debilitating pain syndrome. It is characterized by severe pain in a limb that can be accompanied by edema, and autonomic, motor, and sensory changes.

In some embodiments, the subject composition may be administered orally to relieve neuropathic pain.

Examples of neuropathic pain include pain due to diabetic peripheral neuropathy or diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain, post-herpetic neuralgia, trigeminal neuralgia, monoradiculopathies, phantom limb pain, central pain, pain due to multiple sclerosis, etc. Other causes of neuropathic pain include cancer-related pain, lumbar nerve root compression, spinal cord injury, post-stroke pain, central multiple sclerosis pain, HIV-associated neuropathy, and radio- or chemo-therapy associated neuropathy, etc.

In some embodiments, the subject composition may be administered to relieve fibromyalgia.

The term “treating” or “treatment” includes the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in man or other animals, or any activity that otherwise affects the structure or any function of the body of man or other animals.

A subject combination may be used to treat any disease or condition identified as treatable by the combination of bupropion and dextromethorphan in any of the following U.S. Pat. Nos.: 8,569,328, 9,168,234, 9,189,905 9,205,083, 9,238,032, 9,278,095, 9,314,462, 9,370,513, 9,375,429, 9,408,815, 9,421,176, 9,457,023, 9,457,025, 9,474,731, 9,486,450, 9,700,528, 9,700,553, 9,707,191, 9,763,932, 9,861,595, 9,867,819, 9,968,568, 10,058,518, 10,064,857, 10,080,727, 10,092,560, 10,092,561, 10,105,327, 10,105,361, 10,251,879, 10,463,634, 10,512,643, 10,548,857, 10,596,167, 10,772,850, 10,780,064, 10,780,066, 10,786,469, 10,786,496, 10,799,497, 10,806,710, 10,864,209, 10,874,663, 10,874,664, 10,874,665, 10,881,624, 10,881,657, 10,894,046, 10,894,047, 10,898,453, all of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties for their disclosure of diseases that may be treated by a combination of bupropion and dextromethorphan, including specific embodiments and combinations described therein.

As illustrated in the examples below, the subject combination has no dose dumping of bupropion in the presence of ethanol in vitro. As a result, patients may use alcohol as long as the use is minimized or limited. For example, an adult female may consume one serving of alcohol or less per day (such as one serving per day, 4 servings per week or less, 3 servings per week or less, 1 serving per week or less, 1 serving per month or less, 1 serving per year or less, etc.) or an adult male may consume two servings of alcohol or less per day (such as two servings per day, one serving per day, 4 servings per week or less, 3 servings per week or less, 1 serving per week or less, 1 serving per month or less, 1 serving per year or less, etc.).

Example 1

A two-layer dosage form having Layer 1 and Layer 2 as described above, was tested for ethanol dose dumping as described above. No dose dumping of bupropion in the presence of ethanol in vitro was observed.

Example 2

A two-layer dosage form having Layer 1 and Layer 2 as described above, was tested for a food effect by administering the dosage form with a high-fat meal to human subjects, and comparing the AUC and C_(max) to that obtained when administered to fasted human subjects. No significant difference between the two groups was observed in either the AUC or the C_(max) of bupropion or dextromethorphan.

U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/370,771, filed Aug. 8, 2022, is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as amounts, percentage, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood in all instances as indicating both the exact values as shown and as being modified by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the specification and attached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.

Use of the term “comprising” or “comprises” herein also contemplates that use of “consisting essentially of,” “consists essentially of,” “consisting of,” or “consists of” in its place.

Affirmative recitation of an element anywhere herein should be understood to contemplate both including and excluding that element.

The terms “a,” “an,” “the” and similar referents used in the context of describing the embodiments (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein is intended merely to better illuminate the embodiments and does not pose a limitation on the scope of any claim. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the claims.

Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member may be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. It is anticipated that one or more members of a group may be included in, or deleted from a group, for reasons of convenience and/or to expedite prosecution. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups if used in the appended claims.

Certain embodiments are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the claimed embodiments. Of course, variations on these described embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventor expects skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the claimed embodiments to be practiced otherwise than specifically described herein. Accordingly, the claims include all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is contemplated unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

In closing, it is to be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative of the principles of the claims. Other modifications that may be employed are within the scope of the claims. Thus, by way of example, but not of limitation, alternative embodiments may be utilized in accordance with the teachings herein. Accordingly, the claims are not limited to embodiments precisely as shown and described. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of treating major depressive disorder comprising administering, twice a day, a dosage form to a human patient in need thereof, wherein the dosage form comprises 105 mg of bupropion hydrochloride, or a molar equivalent amount of another salt form of bupropion or the free base form of bupropion, 45 mg of dextromethorphan hydrobromide, or a molar equivalent amount of another salt form of dextromethorphan or the free base form of dextromethorphan, and a polymer, and wherein the human patient consumes alcohol on a day that the dosage form is administered.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the human patient is an adult male, and the human patient consumes two servings or less of alcohol per day.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the human patient is an adult female, and the human patient consumes one serving or less of alcohol per day.
 4. A method of treating major depressive disorder in a human patient who is consuming alcohol, comprising administering, twice a day, a dosage form to a human patient in need thereof, and limiting but not discontinuing consumption of alcohol by the human patient, wherein the dosage form comprises 105 mg of bupropion hydrochloride, or a molar equivalent amount of another salt form of bupropion or the free base form of bupropion, 45 mg of dextromethorphan hydrobromide, or a molar equivalent amount of another salt form of dextromethorphan or the free base form of dextromethorphan, and a polymer.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the human patient is an adult male, and the human patient consumes two servings or less of alcohol per day.
 6. The method of claim 4, wherein the human patient is an adult female, and the human patient consumes one serving or less of alcohol per day.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the dosage form further comprises colloidal silicon dioxide.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the dosage form further comprises crospovidone.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the dosage form further comprises: glyceryl monocaprylocaprate.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the dosage form further comprises L-cysteine hydrochloride monohydrate.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the dosage form further comprises magnesium stearate.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the dosage form further comprises microcrystalline cellulose.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the dosage form further comprises polyvinyl alcohol.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the dosage form further comprises sodium lauryl sulfate.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the dosage form further comprises stearic acid.
 16. The method of claim 1, wherein the dosage form further comprises titanium dioxide.
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the polymer is a carbomer homopolymer.
 18. The method of claim 4, wherein the dosage form further comprises: colloidal silicon dioxide, crospovidone, glyceryl monocaprylocaprate, L-cysteine hydrochloride monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, red iron oxide, sodium lauryl sulfate, stearic acid, talc, titanium dioxide, or yellow iron oxide, or a combination thereof.
 19. The method of claim 4, wherein the dosage form further comprises crospovidone.
 20. The method of claim 4, wherein the dosage form further comprises L-cysteine hydrochloride monohydrate.
 21. The method of claim 4, wherein the dosage form further comprises polyvinyl alcohol.
 22. The method of claim 4, wherein the dosage form further comprises sodium lauryl sulfate.
 23. The method of claim 4, wherein the polymer is a carbomer homopolymer. 